The research project aims to improve the perioperative patient experience for women seeking surgical treatment of pelvic floor disorders.

“Since health care reform links reimbursement to quality, and patient-centered care has been chosen as an indicator of quality, research on patient-centered outcomes has recently become a priority,” explains Vivian Sung, MD, of the Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery at Women & Infants who also serves as director of urogynecology research and associate professor at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Dr. Sung is serving as Dr. Madsen’s mentor for the duration of the project. “The program is aimed at providing and implementing peer-to-peer support programs for women to improve patient-centered care and outcomes for women considering surgery for their pelvic floor disorder.”

Pelvic floor disorders are problems that affect women’s pelvic organs -- the uterus (or womb), vagina, bladder, rectum, and the muscles that surround and support them. The three most common problems are pelvic organ prolapse, and trouble with bladder or bowel control.

About American Urogynecologic SocietyThe American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) is the premier non-profit organization representing more than 1,800 members including practicing physicians, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, nurses and health care professionals, as well as researchers from many disciplines, all dedicated to treating female pelvic floor disorders. The AUGS Pelvic Floor Disorders Research Foundation serves the medical profession by supporting promising, innovative research regarding the causes, prevention, cure and treatment of pelvic floor disorders.

About Women & Infants Hospital

Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, a Care New England hospital, is one of the nation’s leading specialty hospitals for women and newborns. A major teaching affiliate of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University for obstetrics, gynecology and newborn pediatrics, as well as a number of specialized programs in women’s medicine, Women & Infants is the 9th largest stand-alone obstetrical service in the country and the largest in New England with approximately 8,500 deliveries per year. A Designated Baby-Friendly® USA hospital, U.S.News & World Report 2014-15 Best Children’s Hospital in Neonatology and a 2014 Leapfrog Top Hospital, in 2009 Women & Infants opened what was at the time the country’s largest, single-family room neonatal intensive care unit.

Women & Infants and Brown offer fellowship programs in gynecologic oncology, maternal-fetal medicine, urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery, neonatal-perinatal medicine, pediatric and perinatal pathology, gynecologic pathology and cytopathology, and reproductive endocrinology and infertility. It is home to the nation’s first mother-baby perinatal psychiatric partial hospital, as well as the nation’s only fellowship program in obstetric medicine.